Fly Fishing Species 2023

[FishnDave]

The Florida Gar we caught, compared to Shortnose Gar, were much thicker, wider, and heavier for their length.  Fun catches!  Also frustrating when they wouldn't strike, or wouldn't stay hooked.  "It was a grind."  (Or is that something only bass tourney guys are supposed to say?... a little joke from another recent thread on OAF.  )

[Johnsfolly]

3 hours ago, FishnDave said:

"It was a grind."  (Or is that something only bass tourney guys are supposed to say?... a little joke from another recent thread on OAF.  )

A grind would be the most appropriate description of your trip 😁! Highs and lows, frustrating targets, weather, travel, etc. So much easier to just catch bass😉.

[Ham]

Heat, humidity, and 18 hour days. Fishing is such a relaxing hobby. 

[Ham]

36) Oscar

a very much desired FlyFer on this trip. I saw a pair of fish I wasn’t 100% on acting strangely. They drifted in and out of sight always at the edges of my vision.

I caught up with them after a bit and I could see it was a pair guarding fly. It took a few casts, but Dad peeled off and ate. 
pretty decent tussle and I being paranoid Hollered and got Dave’s attention for landing assistance and got him to get the net. He was kind enough to do so. After a couple of quick pics, we sent Dad back to do his job. This is only my second Oscar ever. My other one was Much Larger. 
 

[Ham]

37) Barramundi

This has been a dream fish of mine, but I never expected to get one. I didn’t figure that I would ever make it to Australia and I never imagined that they would become available in the US.

It is a pay to play deal and the ponds have a bunch of them, but it’s still fishing. Some days they don’t bite as well as others. Cooler weather has the larger fish negative to neutral. I eventually managed to get a few.

They are an impressive fish and I know it sounds Silly, but this is a Fun deal and I recommend it to everyone and I hope to make it there again.

[Ham]

38) Peacock Bass

I like giving myself multiple opportunities to catch a species, but I am also a HUGE fan of a bird in hand. I stopped fishing for Barramundi a few minutes early to give myself a chance at Peacock Bass.
I was able to sight fish a few and talk one into eating. Heck Yeah!   I got a better one later. 

[Ham]

39) Redear Sunfish 

Post Barramundi (will I ever be the same ?) we stopped at a tannic creek to try to get out Flyfer Redbreast Sunfish in Fly.

This little guy jumped the train. 

[Ham]

40) Redbreast Sunfish 

a targeted Flyfer! I love it when a plan comes together. 
They were in the suggested creek and we caught em! 

[Ham]

41) Mock Blenny

this was a TOTAL surprise. My fly dropped through a massive cloud of other fish and down between rocks/coral at the White Street Pier.

I asked some Professional Fish Nerds for help with the Id as there are several Blenny that look very much like each other. 

[Ham]

42) Slippery Dick Wrasseguys get tired of catching them? But I’m not there yet especially not on fly